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Kentucky events take place all year and can be characterized as family friendly. Most events in Kentucky are great places to enjoy live music, meet new people, and celebrate the rich history of the area. Especially popular is the Kentucky Derby festival which celebrates the Kentucky Derby horse racing event at Churchill Downs. You can also visit a Kentucky fair to learn more about the variety of farm animals that live in Kentucky.

Summer in Motion is one of the most popular Kentucky festivals and takes place in Ashland, KY. Some of the events to enjoy include fireworks, a petting zoo, and a large craft show. Every year the festival features interesting bands, many of which are very well known. The Beach Boys and Martina McBride are just two of the examples of musical guests who appeared at past Summer in Motion events in Kentucky.

If you are interested in Kentucky events relating to German culture, check out the MainStrasse Village Maifest in Covington every May for a fantastic celebration of heritage. Dark German beer is served out of enormous Oktoberfest style mugs and the heritage of the area is celebrated through traditional German music and handicrafts. Chances are good that you will find the perfect souvenir while browsing the collection of goods that festival vendors have for sale at Kentucky festivals.

The Kentucky Derby festival is more than just a horse
race. The Kentucky Derby, which is affectionately known
at the Run for the Roses, takes place on the first Saturday
of May at Churchill Downs, arguably the most famous race
track in the world.

The town spends the entire year getting ready for the Kentucky Derby festival and celebrates its start as early as April with a series of events. Two weeks before the event, crowds gather at the river’s edge in Louisville for a celebration of epic proportions. Some of the events that take place include fireworks, dances, demonstrations, and a hot air balloon race.

First time visitors to the derby festival may find the idea of the Great Bed Races strange, but enjoy the activity when they see just how fun the event is. The idea of the event is for a group of four or five people to push a bed on wheels through a race course and beat the other beds to the finish line. Although the bed races are the strangest of all Kentucky events, they are arguably one of the most exciting.

The Great Steamboat Race is another reason why people love to attend Kentucky festivals. A race course is set up on the Ohio River and the participants are famous steamboats of the area, such as the Cincinnati Belle and the Belle of Louisville. Festival goers can even ride aboard one of the boats as it competes in the race.

The East Kentucky fair is a free event held every year in late August that offers fun for the entire family. Some of the events at the Kentucky fair include a petting zoo, animal shows, and a bull riding competition. One of the main reasons why people visit the show is to see Kentucky livestock from all regions of the state. Two other Kentucky events happening at the fair include a fabulous fireworks display and the Battle of the Bands.

With Kentucky festivals happening all year, you will definitely find one that suits your tastes.